Getting There

We drove To Triglav National Park from a suburb of Munich and it took us around 4 hours to get there by car. We were traveling at the height of summer travels, therefore we encountered a bit of traffic. You can fly into Ljubljana and drive into the park area, depending on where you choose to stay. We highly recommend you rent a car as it makes it much easier to get around the national park area.

Where to Stay

There are several small towns that have many apartments and hotels to choose from. We planned very last minute and paid the price as choices were very limited. We ended up renting a modest apartment in the town of Kranjska Gora that we found via Booking.com. The cozy apartment was very affordable (80 Euros per night) with free parking.

Kranjska Gora is a popular ski town bordering the Triglav National Park. It’s a perfect base to stay when spending three days in Triglav National Park. The town is cradled by the picturesque snowcapped mountains of the Slovenian Alps. Although summer is considered their low season, the town was filled with outdoor enthusiasts equipped with their hiking poles and climbing gear.

Three Days at Triglav National Park: What to See

Road Trip!

We wanted to experience as much nature as possible, so we were ambitious and decided to spend a whole day driving across route 206. If you love nature, Triglav National Park is the place for you. As we left Kranjska Gora, I was taken by the crystalline waters of the streams that flowed along the base of the mountains. Although you may be tempted to jump in, beware. The water is freezing! Perhaps a quick dip after a long hike may help with those sore muscles. If you want to go on hikes, keep your eyes open for the many trail openings. Many have a trail map and parking available.

One of the highlights of our trip was buying local beer, cheese, and cured meats in a small shop along the road and having a picnic along the Isonzo River. The sun was shining, the snowcapped mountaintops lay perfect against the blue sky, and the river.

The Waterfalls

The park is filled with many waterfalls. The word in Slovenian for waterfalls is “Slap”, keep that in mind when doing a google search for waterfalls at Triglav National Park. During our drive, we saw small waterfalls during our hike but the one that struck us the most was Slap Pericnik. If you’re spending three days at Triglav National Park, this must be a stop in your itinerary.

The morning we decided to go to Slap Pericnik, it was pouring rain. We debated whether to go or not, but we read that you can see the falls from the car. We knew it was the main tourist attraction, so we decided to wake up early and try our luck. The universe was on our side. Due to the rain, the place was empty! As we parked the rain dwindled to a small drizzle and we decided to hike up. Best decision ever. I am always taken by waterfalls due to their energy. As you stand twenty feet away, you can feel the fury of the water coming down. The best part of this waterfall is that you can hike behind it, feeling that energy to a whole new level.

Lake Bled

If you have three days in Triglav National Park, you must add Lake Bled to your itinerary. Lake Bled is not technically located in the park grounds but it borders that park area on the northeastern border. This Slovenian national gem merges architecture and nature as the Bled castle is in the middle of the lake. We decided to skip the touristy boat ride and go for a walk along the lake. Visitors can also swim on the crystal blue-green waters of the lake or rent a boat on their own.

Although Lake Bled has many restaurants to choose from along the lake, they all seemed very uninspiring and tourist-oriented. We walked along the side streets and discovered Izletniska Kmetija, a local spot where the owner Monica makes her own beers and ciders. Not only are they brewers but they also cure their own meats. Treat yourself to homemade charcuterie and sip it with the crisp cider produced in-house. Fellow Dining Traveler Priya wrote a detailed post about Lake Bled not too long ago.

Triglav National Park: The Verdict

I heard great things about Slovenia and Triglav National Park and must stay it lived up to its hype. It was a great place to reconnect with nature. Although we went with la Piccola who was only seven months during the trip, I recommend this trip to anyone who loves nature. Families, couples, groups of friends, and even solo travelers will enjoy scenic views, friendly people, and picturesque landscapes.

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Our journey began in Blackhawk, a surreal town which makes you feel as if you are part of a Wild Wild West movie with its western architecture.  The town was lined with casinos, large exuberant resorts, and tiny storefronts with shiny lights where you can try your luck as well.  We had breakfast sandwiches at a quiet café and began our drive up route 119 to Estes Park.  For more information about the route, head to the Colorado Office of Transportation website.

The drive is sensory overload for those who love nature.  We were tempted to stop several times to take photos as the views almost look as if they come from a painting.  We had to remind ourselves that a) we were just on a day trip, and b) the views will be more epic once we get to the Rocky Mountains.  That being said, there was one interesting stop: Nederland, Colorado.  My Dutch husband was fascinated with this and of course, we had to see what the town was all about.  We stocked up on snacks for our hike at B & F Mountain Market and soon discovered that there was not much to see aside from the mountain views and random eclectic mementos.

We then continued our trip to Estes Park.  When you enter the park, note there is a $20 fee for vehicles (more information here http://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm). Note: as a military member we get a free National Park pass. If you fall under this category, show your ID card to the ranger, and he or she will provide you with a free year pass to all US National Parks. The ranger also provided us with a detailed map of trails and points of interest.

As we were just there for a day trip, we drove up to Trail Ridge Road. 10 miles in, we discovered that part of the road was still closed due to weather conditions.  Although it was late May and sunny, there was still plenty of snow on the ground.  While the road was closed to drivers, visitors were still allowed to walk and explore.  Tip: wear layers and trail shoes as there can be snow on the trails.  The weather goes from warm to cold quickly, so I recommend bringing a backpack in order to carry cold weather gear like gloves, a hat, and an extra warming layer.

Since we were there just for the day, we decided to take a short hike near Bear Lake.  Tip: ask the ranger for a trail map upon arrival.  The hike was 4 miles round-trip.  It was quite eventful as we experienced rain, hail, and sunshine all in that short hike.  We took in the stunning views of Bear Lake and the fury of the Alberta Falls.  Simply stunning to walk on the snow covered trails and listen to the sounds of rustling leaves, tiny waterfalls, and guest appearances by squirrels.  There was something exquisitely peaceful about the experience.  Nature has to be the most affordable luxury we have.  As we left the park, we were taken by the elk roaming freely in their natural habitat.  Every scene was more beautiful than the other.

After the hike, we decided to head back to Denver as it was getting late.  We chose a different route back, heading north.  We stopped in a quaint town called Lyons. We loved the small town vibe of the city and its main street lined with unique shops.  At Lyons Fork Restaurant, we indulged in a delicious thick burger and local craft beer to recharge before heading back into the city.  The food was great, but what we enjoyed the most was the friendly service.

As travelers, sometimes we’re so focused on the destination that we forget about the journey.  The Peak to Peak Highway is an experience in itself.  The lack of cellular reception made it inevitable to step away from our devices and into great conversations and gorgeous views.  Although a day is not enough to experience the beauty of the Rocky Mountains, it was still a perfect day trip experience from Denver. Have you driven on the Peak to Peak Highway? What was your favorite part of the experience? Share in our comments!

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